University Announces A.R. Sanchez Sr.Distinguished Lecture Series

An opportunity for Laredoans to hear lectures by nationally known scholars and distinguished researchers will be the focus of a lecture series to be established by Texas A&M International University's College of Arts and Humanities this Fall.

The A.R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series, funded by a trust established by A. R. Sanchez Jr., will honor the late A. R. Sanchez, Sr., founder of International Bancshares Corporation, successful oil and gas producer and long-time supporter of higher education.

The Lecture Series was announced in a brief signing ceremony held in the University's Great Room of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Friday, Aug. 29.

Sanchez said the lecture series is intended to offer A&M International students and the community at large rare opportunities to hear from prominent leaders and thinkers.

"With this lecture series we aim to attract nationally known scholars and truly distinguished individuals from various fields of scholarship and research endeavors to Laredo and A&M International. We believe that exposure to the great minds of our time will benefit A&M International students and the greater Laredo community as well. We encourage other corporations and private citizens to join this effort and others to support our hometown University," Sanchez said.

Dr. Charles Jennett, A&M International president, applauded Sanchez' effort, noting that such support is crucial to the growing University.

"While the State of Texas has indeed been kind to us in developing Texas' newest four-year University, it is activities and initiatives like the A. R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series that help to further amplify the University experience. We urge others to follow in Mr. Sanchez' sizable footsteps to provide such important opportunities for students and the communities we so proudly serve," Jennett said.

Initiative organizer Dr. Jerry Thompson, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at A&M International, said the A. R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series will be launched this Fall. A full schedule of lecturers will be announced by the College of Arts and Humanities in weeks to come.

Among those being invited to participate in the Series are former President George Bush; Governor George W. Bush; Author of "The Mind on Fire," Robert D. Robinson Jr.; political commentator Molly Ivins; William H. Goetzman, authority on history of the American West; Walter Dean Burnham, researcher on status and upheaval in American society, and Steven Weinberg, noted physicist known for the Big Bang Theory.

A five-member committee will assist the College of Arts and Humanities in determining the lecturer selection and will include representation from the student body, College of Arts and Humanities faculty and the community. A. R. Sanchez Jr. or his appointee will serve as an ex-officio member of the committee.

For additional information on the A. R. Sanchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series, please contact the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at A&M International at 956. 326. 2460.

University office hours are from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu